Westonka Seniors Attend High School League's Triple A Banquet

by Lorrie Ham

Seniors Paige Beyer and Grant Piepkorn recently represented Mound Westonka High School at the regional Triple “A” Award banquet. Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHL), the Triple “A” Award—Academics, Arts, and Athletics—is a recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic field and in the fine arts.

Paige Beyer carries a 3.95 GPA and is proud of being on the “A” Honor Roll each semester since she entered high school. She has valued the opportunity to take advance placement courses along with CIS (College in School) and several honors level courses, which she says have pushed her to her full potential and help prepare her for the future. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Beyer is a four-year member of choir and received superior ratings two years in the MSHSL Solo Contest. She is also a member of Pop Singers and has been a varsity member of the swimming and diving team since seventh-grade—participating twice in the state tournament. She holds four school records, received All-Conference honors two years and was named MVP three years. She is also a two-year member of the track and field team.

Beyer has been a member of Student Senate since ninth-grade and is the group’s current vice president. She has been a DECA chapter officer for three years and represents Minnesota DECA as the State Action Team Vice President of Chapter Development. Beyer also participated in the Westonka Summer Institute’s trip to China.

“Throughout high school I have been involved in extracurricular activities which have impacted my personal growth and leadership development,” said Beyer. “The DECA program has presented me with the opportunity to speak to an audience of over 2,000 people. DECA has allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined and led me to my future endeavors to study business.”

Beyer plans to study business and marketing at college next year and hopes to participate in swimming and diving, and choir. She is the daughter of Robert and Kristen Beyer of Mound.

Grant Piepkorn carries a 3.85 GPA and has taken advantage of AP and CIS courses at MWHS. As a junior, he received one of the top MCA math scores in the school. Piepkorn is a three-year member of the Wind Ensemble and has received Superior ratings in the MSHSL Solo contest two years.

Piepkorn is a four-year member of the cross-country team, was named All Conference one year, All Conference Honorable Mention one year and served as captain his senior year. He is also a four-year member of the Nordic ski team, was two-time All Conference Honorable Mention and a captain his senior year. Piepkorn is a four-year member of the track and field team and was named All Conference as a sophomore.
Piepkorn is a three-year member of the Student Senate, a Link Crew leader for two years and a Boys State participant. He is also the incumbent NHS Secretary and served as treasurer last year.

“As much as I enjoy arts and athletics, academics come first,” Piepkorn said.

Piepkorn plans to attend to the University of Minnesota to study biology and neuroscience. He also plans to participate in club sports. Piepkorn is the son of Craig and Jackie Piepkorn of Mound.

Triple “A” Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process that involves member schools of the League, the League’s administrative regions, and a special committee of educations, business leaders, and members of the fine arts and athletics communities. Every member school of the League is invited to nominate one girl and one boy for the Triple “A” Award. Nominees must be a senior in high school, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, participate in MSHSL fine arts and/or athletic activities, and comply with the MSHSL Student Code of Conduct.